Deserts A Very Short Introduction

Deserts make up a third of the planet's land surface, but if you picture a desert, what comes to mind? A wasteland? A drought? A place devoid of all life forms?Deserts are remarkable places. Typified by drought and extremes of temperature, they can be harsh and hostile; but many deserts are also spectacularly beautiful, and on occasion teem with life. Nick Middleton explores how each desert is unique: through fantastic life forms, extraordinary scenery,and ingenious human adaptations. He demonstrates a desert's immense natural beauty, its rich biodiversity, and uncovers a long history of successful human occupation. This Very Short Introduction tells you everything you ever wanted to know about these extraordinary places and captures their importance in the working of our planet.

Nick Middleton teaches at Oxford University where he is a Fellow of St Anne's College. In addition to many scientific publications, he has written such popular books as The Last Disco in Outer Mongolia and Ice Tea and Elvis: A Saunter through the Southern States. In 2002, he won the Royal Geographical Society's Ness Award in recognition of widening the public enthusiasm for geography through his travel writing.

Preface1. Desert Climates2. Desert Landscapes3. The Nature of Deserts4. People and Deserts5. Deserts Connections